Fast Facts About Assisted Living

Percentage of residents that receive help with three or more
ADLs: 40%

Source: National Center for Assisted Living

Featured Articles

Assisted Living Checklist - This checklist has the
essential questions to ask when you call or visit an assisted
living community.

Guide to Choosing Assisted Living - This in-depth
guide helps you decide which assisted living facility is right for
you. Use it to evaluate the services, features and policies offered
by the various communities you visit.

Compare Assisted Living Costs - Is it true that
assisted living costs more than living at home? This cost
comparison can help you find out what's right for your family.

Redefining Senior Care

A relatively new concept 25 years ago, today assisted living is
the fastest growing long-term care option for seniors. Assisted
living facilities, with their wide range of services, provide a
senior housing solution for adults who can live independently, but
also require some assistance. For many seniors, assisted living
provides just the level of care they need to flourish and triumph
in their new phase of life. After all, the golden years should be
enjoyable-and assisted living has more options than ever before.

Assisted Living Costs

Assisted living costs vary, depending on the following factors:

Type of residence

Size of apartment (studio, one or two-bedroom apartment)

Types of services needed

Geographical location of the community

Many communities charge a basic rate that covers all services,
with an additional fee for special services. Most assisted living
communities charge a month-to-month rate, but there are also
long-term options available.

Typically, base rates only cover room and board and a service of
daily meals, determined by the assisted living community.
Sometimes there are entrance fees, deposits and laundry and
housekeeping fees. But because these all vary by community, it's
important to ask each community about their individual costs and
services.

According to Genworth.com, the average cost for a one-bedroom
assisted living apartment in the U.S. in 2014 was $3,500 per
month; an increase of 1.19% over 2013 with a five-year annual
growth of 5.71%. Studio and two-bedroom assisted living apartments
varied, accordingly.

Costs in Canada

Alberta
: average costs were $2,798 in 2013, with prices ranging from
just over $1,800 for the least expensive bachelor to roughly
$4,300 for the most expensive two-bedroom apartment.

British Columbia
: average costs were $2,747 in 2013, with prices ranging from
just under $1,500 for the least expensive bachelor to over
$6,000 for the most expensive two-bedroom apartment.

Ontario
: average costs were $3,204 in 2013, with prices ranging from
roughly $1,750 for the least expensive bachelor to just over
$5,000 for the most expensive two-bedroom apartment.

If you've seen one assisted living community, you've seen one
assisted living community. Each state and province has different
licensing and regulation requirements for assisted living
providers, which affects the particular services offered at that
community. For example, some assisted living facilities are
attached to, or share a campus with, a skilled nursing facility.
This means these types of communities can provide more advanced
medical care. But, in general, assisted living communities provide
basic medical monitoring as well as daily activities and care.
Activities of daily living (ADLs) include dressing, eating,
mobility, hygiene, bathing, toileting, using the telephone and
shopping.

Here are some of the basic services offered in assisted living:

24-hour supervision and security

Daily meals

Basic housekeeping

Laundry

Health and exercise programs

Social programs

Transportation

Access to medical services

The term "assisted living" is an industry term to describe
certain communities and/or facilities. The term "assisted
living" may or may not reflect official state or provincial
requirements concerning licensing, level of care, and/or the
services that are provided. We recommend that when
considering these communities and/or facilities you request to
see their license and/or contact your state or province's
licensing authority for clarification on license type, level of
care, and/or the services that are provided.

Assisted Living Blog Posts

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After a parent or senior loved one moves into an assisted living community, they’re not the only ones who face a transition period. Everyone who loves them has to create a new routine around paying visits and spending time with them in a new environment. One of the most important things you can do f...More ▶

Last Updated: March 7, 2019 One challenge for families who are searching for assisted living is that it's not always easy to find information about the background and licensing of the communities that they are exploring. While there is a national nursing home website to view the audit and lice...More ▶